Our take in 30 seconds
Best for: mild climates or homes with backup heatStrengths
- Variable-speed compressor: quieter, steadier temperatures and better humidity control
Good to know
- Uses R-410A, a refrigerant being phased down; future service may cost more
Running-cost calculator
Pre-filled with EIA prices · edit any fieldUses the base certified SEER2 (18) and HSPF2 (8.5). Assumes the unit is correctly sized. How we calculate.
Heating capacity as it gets colder
A heat pump's output falls as outdoor temperature drops. This is the certified heat output of the American Standard 4A6V8X48A1 at the three ENERGY STAR test temperatures (cooling capacity is 47,500 BTU/h for reference).
Retention at 17°F: 82% · at 5°F: 64%. Learn how to use these numbers in our cold-climate guide.
Estimated running cost in every state
Same unit, very different bills: from about $1,167 a year in Louisiana to $4,857 in Maine, driven by local electricity prices and how much heating or cooling the climate needs. Click a column to sort.
| State | Price | Heating | Cooling | Total / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 12.87¢ | $488 | $679 | $1,167 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $365 | $949 | $1,314 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $703 | $685 | $1,388 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $826 | $604 | $1,430 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $570 | $874 | $1,444 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $1,017 | $460 | $1,477 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $1,346 | $135 | $1,481 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $1,052 | $513 | $1,565 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $1,378 | $189 | $1,568 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $1,011 | $569 | $1,580 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $1,195 | $401 | $1,596 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $938 | $665 | $1,604 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $775 | $840 | $1,615 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $947 | $671 | $1,618 |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $972 | $689 | $1,662 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $1,369 | $316 | $1,685 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $1,123 | $587 | $1,709 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $1,519 | $247 | $1,766 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $1,340 | $436 | $1,776 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $1,539 | $322 | $1,860 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $1,589 | $344 | $1,933 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $1,474 | $465 | $1,939 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $1,432 | $512 | $1,944 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $1,507 | $449 | $1,956 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $1,952 | $190 | $2,143 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $1,858 | $317 | $2,176 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $1,720 | $493 | $2,214 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $1,842 | $382 | $2,224 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $1,449 | $785 | $2,234 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $2,089 | $158 | $2,247 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $2,107 | $185 | $2,291 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $2,050 | $260 | $2,310 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $2,123 | $338 | $2,461 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $2,098 | $409 | $2,507 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $1,969 | $565 | $2,534 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $2,196 | $408 | $2,604 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $2,513 | $250 | $2,763 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $2,356 | $460 | $2,816 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $2,626 | $307 | $2,933 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $2,397 | $584 | $2,982 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $2,250 | $754 | $3,004 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $2,918 | $420 | $3,339 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $2,986 | $364 | $3,350 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $128 | $3,237 | $3,365 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $3,354 | $283 | $3,638 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $3,355 | $446 | $3,801 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $3,411 | $491 | $3,902 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $3,740 | $365 | $4,104 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $3,794 | $483 | $4,276 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $4,775 | $78 | $4,852 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $4,518 | $339 | $4,857 |
Similar-size alternatives
Other ducted split system units within ±15% of this model's cooling capacity, sorted by efficiency. Cost difference is versus the American Standard 4A6V8X48A1 at U.S.-average rates.
| Model | Cooling BTU/h | SEER2 | HSPF2 | 5°F kept | Est. yearly cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruud UP19AY48AJVC | 45,500 | 18–19 | 10 | 92% | $1,827 (−$273) | Compare |
| Gree GUD60W2/NHE-D(U) | 53,000 | 16–19 | 10.5 | 100% | $2,156 (+$56) | Compare |
| Heil B5H3V48*K*AAA* | 46,500 | 20–23 | 9.5 | 76% | $1,963 (−$136) | Compare |
| Tempstar T5H3V48*K*AAA* | 46,500 | 19.5–23 | 9.5 | 72% | $2,113 (+$13) | Compare |
| Rheem RD18AY48AJVC | 43,500 | 16–19 | 10 | 88% | $1,793 (−$307) | Compare |
| Rheem RD18AY60AJVC | 52,000 | 16–18 | 10 | 66% | $2,393 (+$293) | Compare |
Full specifications
| Brand | American Standard |
| Outdoor model | 4A6V8X48A1 |
| Certified by | Trane and American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning |
| Product type | Ducted split system |
| Compressor | Variable-speed (inverter) |
| Refrigerant | R-410A |
| Cooling capacity | 47,500 BTU/h |
| Nominal size | 4 tons |
| SEER2 (certified range) | 18 – 18 |
| EER2 (best) | 12 |
| HSPF2 (best) | 8.5 |
| Heating capacity @ 47°F | 46,000 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 17°F | 37,800 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 5°F | 29,400 BTU/h |
| COP @ 5°F | 2 |
| ENERGY STAR cold-climate | No |
| Certified indoor pairings | 208 |
| Latest certification | 2025-07 |
Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), retrieved November 7, 2026. Capacities and HSPF2 are the highest values across certified pairings; confirm your exact system's AHRI reference number with your installer.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the American Standard 4A6V8X48A1 cost to run per year?
At the U.S. average residential electricity price of 18.16¢/kWh and typical national heating and cooling hours, we estimate about $2,100 per year ($1,572 heating, $527 cooling). It ranges from about $1,167 in Louisiana to $4,857 in Maine.
Does the American Standard 4A6V8X48A1 work in cold weather?
It is not ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified. It delivers 29,400 BTU/h at 5°F (64% of its 47°F capacity), so in very cold climates expect more reliance on backup heat.
What size is the American Standard 4A6V8X48A1?
It is rated at 47,500 BTU/h of cooling, roughly 4 tons, and 46,000 BTU/h of heating at 47°F. Proper sizing should be confirmed with a Manual J load calculation.